The imperial prison has always been deserted, because there are really not many people who are qualified to enter the imperial prison, but in the spring of the 28th year of Kaibao, the imperial prison in Luoyang is really lively and somewhat popular.
Among them, the most special person is undoubtedly the former imperial envoy and the top administrator behind the imperial edict, Wang Jien.
As he walked, the jade on his waist kept swaying, and the yellow spike at the end of the jade was a bit dazzling in this dark prison. Accompanied by Yantuo and Zhang Bin, deputy envoy of the Imperial City Department, Emperor Liu It is extremely rare to come to the imperial prison.
Why Wang Jien was captured by Emperor Liu, based on Zhang Bin's observation during his many years as deputy envoy, he understood that the most important two points were that he deceived the officials too much and made too many claims on his own.
Realizing this, Zhang Bin naturally did not dare to hide anything from Emperor Liu, and reported Wang Jien's reaction and request to Emperor Liu in detail. Even though Zhang Bin wanted to deal with Wang Jien as soon as possible, as the deputy envoy of the Imperial City Department , was originally arranged to balance power, but Wang Jien is not easy to deal with. In addition to being unable to squeeze people away, Wang Jien can almost round and flatten Zhang Bin at will.
Therefore, Zhang Bin's experience in the Imperial City Division over the years can be described as bitter and painful. He suffered a lot of humiliation, and the mental pressure he faced from Wang Jien was too great.
But there is no possibility of compromise. After all, Emperor Liu is still watching from behind. If you offend Wang Jien, your life can be saved, but if you offend the old emperor... this option should not be available at all.
Zhang Bin also tried to confront Wang Jien tit for tat, but the result of the head-on battle was that he lost even the meager power in his hands under a series of blows. The key is that if he went to Emperor Liu, he would not get more support. .
The struggle between bitches without the support of their masters is particularly sad. No one knows how Zhang Bin survived these years and what kind of mental journey he has gone through. He is almost like a walking zombie.
Finally, the day came for Zhang Bin, who had to endure the humiliation and humiliation, and finally had the day to "clear the clouds and see the sun". God can see the mercy. Just yesterday, when Zhang Bin received a secret order from Emperor Liu on his way back from Wang Jien's residence to celebrate his birthday, Zhang Bin was There are only four words to describe how you feel: God has eyes.
Cao Mengde once said that for eunuchs and eunuchs, it is enough to kill one of the jailers to favor the master of the world. Now Emperor Liu has proved this with facts. Wang Jien's so-called power is really insignificant in front of the old emperor.
And when Zhang Bin, the deputy envoy, was used to preside over the liquidation task, the efficiency was even higher. Overnight, Wang Jien's disciples, followers, and followers were all controlled. This is what Wang Jien saw when he woke up from a hangover. Origin. No one would have thought that the first task after the formation of the "Imperial City Battalion" would be to arrest their direct leader.
After going through many prison cells, it is obvious that the "occupancy rate" of the imperial prison is not low now. However, it is obviously impossible for so many people to be investigated by Emperor Liu under the imperial edict, nor can it be during the period after the edict to decentralize power was issued. It is easy to imagine where these people came from and under what name they were arrested.
Emperor Liu's expression was very cold and he simply ignored him. Under the guidance of the jailer, he went to the innermost cell where Wang Jien was being imprisoned. However, the situation was very different in one day. Although he was not shackled, But his body was full of embarrassment, and now he looked like a sixty-year-old man.
He had heard the movement in the prison passage for a long time. When Emperor Liu's body came into view, Wang Jien's eyes suddenly lit up. He walked to the edge of the prison cell with a pair of old legs and kowtowed: "Young man, see the official family! See the official family!"
Just like bloodline suppression, no matter where he is, the first reaction when seeing Emperor Liu is to pay homage and kowtow. However, in this situation, there is a lot more sadness in Wang Jien's tone.
Seeing this, Emperor Liu's old eyes also showed a touch of emotion, and some past memories also appeared in his mind. He stretched out his hand and said: "Zhang Bin said you wanted to see me. Thinking of the friendship over the past few decades, I
Came here especially to see you!"
Wang Jien was very familiar with Emperor Liu. Sensing his slight change in mood, a little hope immediately appeared in his eyes. He stood up and grabbed the iron fence, crying out: "Officials, you are innocent! I beg you, officials, to be aware of everything.
Don’t listen to the villain’s slander and instigation.”
"You are such a smart person. Do you really not know the purpose of my coming to prison today?" As soon as he opened his mouth, Emperor Liu's old face immediately turned cold. He pointed to the outer prison cell and said, "I won't say anything else for now.
Mention, how did all these chaotic people in the imperial prison get in?"
Wang Jien's face was slightly dull, but he reacted very quickly and said immediately: "I was ordered to monitor the public opinion in the capital. These are suspicious people. I -"
Before he could finish speaking, Emperor Liu quickly interrupted him with a stern tone: "I don't have time to listen to your sophistry. If all you have to say is this nonsense in front of me, then I don't have to listen anymore!"
Hearing this, Wang Jien's old face turned pale again. He was stunned for a moment, and then he kowtowed and said tremblingly: "For the sake of my dedicated service for many years, can the official family spare my life?"
"No?" Emperor Liu answered simply, "However, because you have been loyal to the royal family for decades, I can keep your body intact!"
"In the official family, I may have made mistakes, but I am loyal to you!" Wang Jien's face was filled with fear, and with tears streaming down his face, he bowed especially sadly: "My little one, it's not harmful to you."
"You are harmless to me, but you are very harmful to the court!" Emperor Liu's mood finally exploded, and he angrily yelled at Wang Jien: "Thanks to you for serving me for decades, you have even forgotten what I am most taboo about.
Yes? Just because of the things you did without telling me, I am already very tolerant of you before I deal with you today!"
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Wang Jien's eyes immediately dimmed a lot. Although he had some doubts in his heart, he had already realized that Emperor Liu probably knew all about his shady activities. At the same time, his life was probably really
It can't be saved.
A huge feeling of fear swept through his whole body in an instant, and even his hands and feet became numb. Wang Jien slumped down in the cold place, his expression somewhat unbearable.
However, a generation of great eunuchs do have their dignity after all. After a while, Wang Jien raised his head again, his eyes were reddish, and his voice was calm, with a hint of hope: "All the blame for the Imperial City Division lies on the young man. The blame is on me."
It’s hard to escape, and I have no complaints. But the younger ones’ adopted sons tend to obey the younger ones’ orders, can they be given a lighter sentence?”
Wang Jien's remaining three adopted sons and their family members also did not escape. They were all captured and were also imprisoned in the imperial prison at this time. After staring at Wang Jien for a while and seeing that his expression did not seem to be fake, Emperor Liu still said calmly: "
Wang Shouzhong's crime is lighter and he can survive, but the other two cannot, and his descendants will be sentenced to exile. Keeping a piece of incense is my last gift to you!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After hearing this, Wang Jien kowtowed again, looking like he was crying with gratitude.
"I'm sending you off now. I've spent the past forty years as master and servant in vain!" After glancing at Wang Jien again, Emperor Liu sighed softly and turned around to leave.
"The officials stay!" However, he was stopped by Wang Jien again.
"What else do you have to say?" Emperor Liu frowned slightly, his tone cold.
Wang Jien raised his voice and said solemnly: "I'd like to report to the official family. Xiao Xiao's actions are over-the-top, domineering and jealous. This has led to this disaster. His crime is unforgivable and he dare not complain. When he is about to die, Xiao Xiao dares to report to the official family again. Furthermore, officials and family members must be careful of those around them, and must not relax their vigilance against those with ulterior motives."
"Who is the Xiaoxiao you are referring to, the person with ulterior motives?" Emperor Liu turned around and asked with interest.
"Yantuo!" Wang Jien said directly without any hesitation.
As soon as these words came out, regardless of other people's reactions, Yan Tuo's face changed drastically, his legs went weak, he knelt down directly, and said passionately: "Guan family, this bully has deceived the king, and he still doesn't want to repent. Don't listen to his slander. ah.
I am very loyal to the officials and wholeheartedly, but because of my old grudge, you framed me and falsely accused me. What a vicious intention I have. I hope the officials will learn from it!"
After saying this, Yantuo glared at Wang Jien fiercely. If eyes could kill, Wang Jien would have been crushed to ashes in prison.
"Officials must not forget the story of the Khitan Lord Yelv Jing!" Wang Jien said sincerely, then raised his head and looked at Yantuo coldly. There was a little joy in his eyes, as if to say: Old thief, I Even if it falls, you won’t be able to feel better!
The two dogs, even on the verge of death, still did not forget to bite each other. Emperor Liu was very emotional. He looked at Wang Jien and then glanced meaningfully at the frightened Yan Tuo. Without saying a word, he turned around and left.
"Old thief! I'll give you an advantage by leaving your whole body!" After Emperor Liu walked away, Yan Tuo stood up quickly and angrily yelled at Wang Jien.
"I'll wait for you below! Haha" Wang Jien looked arrogant and laughed loudly.
In the Luan Jia, Emperor Liu's body swayed slightly with the bumps. On the side, Yantuo was waiting in the Luan Jia, which was rare. It could be seen that he was a little uneasy. The reason was naturally because of Wang Jien's backlash in the imperial prison.
Emperor Liu's face was expressionless, but Yantuo could not maintain his usual calmness. His face was a little red, and his back was nervously hot and sweating. He struggled a little internally, and finally knelt down to Emperor Liu and said mournfully: "Guan family, I'm young. It’s unjust!”
"What are you wrongfully accusing?" Seeing this, Emperor Liu asked calmly.
"Wang Jien, the traitor, knew that he was going to die and wanted to take the child to be buried with him, so he tried to frame him. What he said has no basis and is purely conjecture. I hope the officials will be aware of it!" Yantuo was panicking, but he was still smooth-talking.
Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled softly: "You two have been fighting for decades. It's not like I don't know what Wang Jien's thoughts are. Can't I still see it? A man's words are good when he is about to die, but a bird's words are good. The sound of death is mournful, but this person is worse than a bird."
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Yantuo burst into tears and quickly bowed: "The officials are wise! The officials are wise! That's exactly what it is!"
However, after Yantuo finished paying homage, Emperor Liu said leisurely: "But by the way, how many years have you served me?"
"Your Majesty, if we count from the eleventh year of Qianyou's reign, it has been thirty-three years!" Yantuo wiped his tears and replied, he remembered these clearly.
"Thirty-three years is a long time!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu's old eyes showed a trace of reminiscence. It took him a long time to come back to his senses and said to him calmly: "I know I am not easy to serve, can you? It’s not easy to stay with me for so long!”
"Being able to serve an official is truly a blessing that a young man cannot cultivate for many lifetimes. It's an honor!" Yan Tuo blurted out his loyal words.
"You are an old member of the Jinyang Palace. In terms of closeness, you are closer than Zhang Dejun. You are now in your sixties, right? Have you ever thought about the rest of your life?" Emperor Liu asked like a heart-to-heart.
Yan Tuo remained tense at all times and shook his head without thinking: "I only know how to serve the officials and have no other thoughts. Not to mention the sixty-year-old, I am an old man and an octogenarian. As long as I still have breath, I will serve the officials!"
"You old thing, you still want to serve me until you are seventy or eighty? You don't even know why you are a thief if you don't die until you are old. Do you want to be that tired old thief with me?" Emperor Liu laughed.
Yantuo couldn't laugh at this, lowered his head and said tremblingly: "The official said this, I am extremely frightened!"
Emperor Liu smiled, thought for a while, and said in a deep voice: "Tell me the truth, have you ever thought about leaving the palace and spending your old age peacefully? I can give you a grace!"
Upon hearing this, Yantuo was stunned for a moment, and then said: "I have never had such a thought, I just want to serve the officials wholeheartedly. What's more, even if I leave the palace, there is nowhere to go in the world!"
"Don't you have an adopted son in Hedong? Now that he has grown up, he can go back to Taiyuan and enjoy the service of future generations!" Emperor Liu said softly: "To tell you the truth, Zhang Dejun violated my taboo. Of course, It is not a pity to die, but I have no doubt about his loyalty to me. I would not be happy to give him death!
You and Zhang Dejun are both my old slaves, and you have feelings. You have served the emperor for thirty-three years and have seen too many secrets of the royal family. This is not a good thing for you.
While I can still move, I can give you a favor. I have lost a loyal servant, and I don’t want you to do anything wrong in the future."
Listening to what Emperor Liu said, Yan Tuo thought to himself, as long as the officials are at ease with me, who can do anything to me? As his mind turned, his face showed a look of emotion, and he bowed: "The officials are so small. Thinking about this, I have a profound feeling that I will never forget. However, I only want to serve the officials for the rest of my life and do not want to covet personal comfort and enjoyment!"
Emperor Liu looked at Yan Tuo silently, with scrutiny in his eyes. After a long time, he chuckled and said, "This is just an occasional thought. If you don't want to, I won't force you. However, this opportunity is only available once. I missed it." , no more!"
Yantuo immediately said: "I forgive you for being so bold, but even if you die, I will die in the palace and next to the officials!"
"Haha" Emperor Liu smiled again, and his mood seemed to improve: "It's rare for you to be so loyal!"
After saying that, Emperor Liu completely returned to his usual indifference, raised his finger and said: "I know that you have a long-standing grudge with Zhang Dejun, and I am afraid that you are biting me just now. I am afraid that you feel uncomfortable in your heart! In this way, if you go to see Zhang Dejun on his way, you will also be on my behalf. Give him a ride!”
"Yes!" Such an order was simply a joy to Yantuo at this time. He was so surprised that he didn't think much about it and responded immediately.
After saying that, he respectfully stepped back from his chariot. Soon, there was another sound of hooves of a horse racing away. Listening to the sound of horses receding, Emperor Liu's eyes were extremely cold.
On that day, Wang Jien, the once arrogant envoy of the Imperial City, died in prison. This had a huge impact on the Imperial City. A major rectification that could be said to be heartbreaking began, and Wang Jien's disciples, disciples, and confidants Most of his subordinates were punished in the subsequent rectification. The Imperial City Division's reputation plummeted, but Emperor Liu said that from then on, he went into battle lightly.
Such a change made the onlookers stunned. Many bureaucrats didn't know whether to be happy or not. What they were happy about was that this power was castrated and the Imperial City Division was in decline. However, this did not seem to be the efforts of these loyal ministers, but overall , you should still be happy.
And a few days later, before Emperor Liu's fifth birthday, the eunuchs and eunuchs who were running rampant in the inner court disappeared. In the process of carrying out an ordinary mission of Emperor Liu, they disappeared, and the disappearance was even more sudden. There are many rumors in China, but it is certain that Yantuo died, and many people know how he died.
There is no need to elaborate on the reasons for killing Wang Jien. As for Yantuo, it is a bit more obscure, but in comparison, Yantuo was a little unjust. To put it bluntly, there were some heart-wrenching reasons. Of course Yantuo also did it. He had done a lot of taboo things, especially in recent years, but what really made Emperor Liu murderous was this person who made Emperor Liu aware of his restless heart and fueled the flames in those inconspicuous places.
Of course, Wang Jien's words in prison also reminded Emperor Liu of his sudden and violent murderous intention.
Facts have once again proved that in Emperor Liu's era, it was difficult to have a political turmoil without killing people or bloodshed.